Luke 18
1 Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and never despair.
He also taught them by a parable that they must always pray and never lose heart.
2 “There was,” he said, “in a certain town a judge, who had no fear of God nor regard for people.
"In a certain town," He said, "there was a judge who had no fear of God and no respect for man.
3 In the same town there was a widow who went to him again and again, and said ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’
And in the same town was a widow who repeatedly came and entreated him, saying, "'Give me justice and stop my oppressor.'
4 For a time the judge refused, but afterward he said to himself ‘Although I am without fear of God or regard for people,
"For a time he would not, but afterwards he said to himself, "'Though I have neither reverence for God nor respect for man,
5 yet, as this widow is so troublesome, I will grant her justice, to stop her from plaguing me with her endless visits.’”
yet because she annoys me I will give her justice, to prevent her from constantly coming to pester me.'"
6 Then the Master added, “Listen to what this iniquitous judge says!
And the Lord said, "Hear those words of the unjust judge.
7 And God – won’t he see that his own people, who cry to him night and day, have justice done them – though he holds his hand?
And will not God avenge the wrongs of His own People who cry aloud to Him day and night, although He seems slow in taking action on their behalf?
8 He will, I tell you, give them justice soon enough! Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Yes, He will soon avenge their wrongs. Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?"
9 Another time, speaking to people who were satisfied that they were religious, and who regarded everyone else with scorn, Jesus told this parable –
And to some who relied on themselves as being righteous men, and looked down upon all others, He addressed this parable.
10 “Two men went up into the Temple Courts to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer.
"Two men went up to the Temple to pray," He said; "one being a Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer.
11 The Pharisee stood forward and began praying to himself in this way – ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men – thieves, rogues, adulterers – or even like this tax-gatherer.
The Pharisee, standing erect, prayed as follows by himself: "'O God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people--I am not a thief nor a cheat nor an adulterer, nor do I even resemble this tax-gatherer.
12 I fast twice a week, and give a tenth of everything I get to God.’
I fast twice a week. I pay the tithe on all my gains.'
13 Meanwhile the tax-gatherer stood at a distance, not venturing even to raise his eyes to heaven, but he kept striking his breast and saying ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
"But the tax-gatherer, standing far back, would not so much as lift his eyes to Heaven, but kept beating his breast and saying, "'O God, be reconciled to me, sinner that I am.'
14 This man, I tell you, went home pardoned, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, while everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.”
"I tell you that this man went home more thoroughly absolved from guilt than the other; for every one who uplifts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be uplifted."
15 Some of the people were bringing even their babies to Jesus, for him to touch them; but, when the disciples saw it, they began to find fault with those who had brought them.
On one occasion people also brought with them their infants, for Him to touch them; but the disciples, noticing this, proceeded to find fault with them.
16 Jesus, however, called the little children to him. “Let the little children come to me,” he said, “and do not hinder them, for it is to the childlike that the kingdom of God belongs.
Jesus however called the infants to Him. "Let the little children come to me," He said; "do not hinder them; for it is to those who are childlike that the Kingdom of God belongs.
17 I tell you, unless a man receives the kingdom of God like a child, he will not enter it at all.”
I tell you in solemn truth that, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will certainly not enter it."
18 And one of the leaders asked Jesus this question – “Good teacher, what must I do if I am to gain eternal life?” (aiōnios g166)
The question was put to Him by a Ruler: "Good Rabbi, what shall I do to inherit the Life of the Ages?" (aiōnios g166)
19 “Why do you call me good?” answered Jesus. “No one is good but God.
"Why do you call me good?" replied Jesus; "there is no one good but One, namely God.
20 You know the commandments – Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not say what is false about others, Honor your father and your mother.”
You know the Commandments: 'Do not commit adultery;' 'Do not murder;' 'Do not steal;' 'Do not lie in giving evidence;' 'Honour thy father and thy mother.'"
21 “I have observed all these,” he replied, “from childhood.”
"All of those," he replied, "I have kept from my youth."
22 Hearing this, Jesus said to him, “There is one thing still lacking in you; sell everything that you have, and distribute to the poor, and you will have wealth in heaven; then come and follow me.”
On receiving this answer Jesus said to him, "There is still one thing wanting in you. Sell everything you possess and give the money to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven; and then come, follow me."
23 But the man became greatly distressed on hearing this, for he was extremely rich.
But on hearing these words he was deeply sorrowful, for he was exceedingly rich.
24 Seeing this, Jesus said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!
Jesus saw his sorrow, and said, "With how hard a struggle do the possessors of riches ever enter the Kingdom of God!
25 It is easier, indeed, for a camel to get through a needle’s eye than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God!”
Why, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God."
26 “Then who can be saved?” asked those who heard this.
"Who then can be saved?" exclaimed the hearers.
27 But Jesus said, “What is impossible with people is possible with God.”
"Things impossible with man," He replied, "are possible with God."
28 “But we,” said Peter, “we left what belonged to us and followed you.”
Then Peter said, "See, we have given up our homes and have followed you."
29 “I tell you,” he answered, “that there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,
"I solemnly tell you," replied Jesus, "that there is no one who has left house or wife, or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of God's Kingdom,
31 Gathering the Twelve around him, Jesus said to them, “Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem; and there everything that is written in the prophets will be done to the Son of Man.
Then He drew the Twelve to Him and said, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything written in the Prophets which refers to the Son of Man will be fulfilled.
32 For he will be given up to the Gentiles, mocked, insulted and spat on;
For He will be given up to the Gentiles, and be mocked, outraged and spit upon.
33 they will scourge him, and then put him to death; and on the third day he will rise again.”
They will scourge Him and put Him to death, and on the third day He will rise to life again."
34 The apostles did not comprehend any of this. His meaning was unintelligible to them and they did not understand what he was saying.
Nothing of this did they understand. The words were a mystery to them, nor could they see what He meant.
35 As Jesus was getting near Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside, begging.
As Jesus came near to Jericho, there was a blind man sitting by the way-side begging.
36 Hearing a crowd going by, the man asked what was the matter;
He heard a crowd of people going past, and inquired what it all meant.
37 and, when people told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing,
"Jesus the Nazarene is passing by," they told him.
38 he shouted out, “Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!”
Then, at the top of his voice, he cried out, "Jesus, son of David, take pity on me."
39 Those who were in front kept telling him to be quiet, but he continued to call out the louder, “Son of David, take pity on me!”
Those in front reproved him and tried to silence him; but he continued shouting, louder than ever, "Son of David, take pity on me."
40 Then Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. And, when he had come close up to him, Jesus asked him,
At length Jesus stopped and desired them to bring the man to Him; and when he had come close to Him He asked him,
41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Master,” he said, “I want to recover my sight.”
"What shall I do for you?" "Sir," he replied, "let me recover my sight."
42 And Jesus said, “Recover your sight, your faith has delivered you.”
"Recover your sight," said Jesus: "your faith has cured you."
43 Instantly he recovered his sight, and began to follow Jesus, praising God. And all the people, on seeing it, gave glory to God.
No sooner were the words spoken than the man regained his sight and followed Jesus, giving glory to God; and all the people, seeing it, gave praise to God.
